Dear Friends of Earth & Soul,
“In the city we are no longer listening to the landscape and its music. Instead, we listen to fabricated music and political argument. ‘I prefer pine trees to politicians,’ says White. ‘Imagine if, instead of listening to political argument on the news every night, we were to spend an equal amount of time listening to a grove of pine trees or being attentive to the evening breeze whispering in the branches of a tree. There is something like music there,’ he says. ‘Maybe we can at least learn to listen again to the world. Who knows into what secrets that may lead us.’”
These words from John Philip in the chapter on Kenneth White in Sacred Earth Sacred Soul call us to learn to listen again to the natural world. There truly is something grounding about sitting under a tree and listening to the birds or walking along a path through woods. And we need to pay attention.
In the changing of the season, may we come back into relationship with the natural world. And in doing so, allow this to guide our actions with compassion for Earth and all living beings.
There is still time to join us for some of the October and November Earth & Soul events happening in person and online. The Great Search 1 at Montreat Conference and Retreat Center in Montreat, North Carolina, is October 21–23. Thresholds of Hope: A Spiritual Practice Retreat at Highlands Conference Center in Allenspark, Colorado, is November 4–6. We are delighted to share our new online offering of the entire Celtic Wisdom series which begins in early November in collaboration with FF3 in Findhorn. All details and registration links can be found below as well as on our Events Page. You’ll also find a growing list of 2027 events which are being added for you to save the dates.
Each morning as we greet the new day, let us pray this prayer together for Earth and all beings.
In the beginning, O God,
your Spirit swept over the chaotic deep like a wild wind
and creation was born.
In the turbulence of my own life
and the unsettled waters of the world today
let there be new birthings of your Spirit.
In the currents of my own heart
and the upheavals of the world today
let there be new birthings of your mighty Spirit.
-John Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction
Thank you for being part of the Earth & Soul community. Together, may we speak and act and live with compassion and know we are not alone.
Blessings and peace,
Cami Twilling
Director, Earth & Soul